2 Chronicles 32:17 Meaning and Explanation
“He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Sennacherib writes letters mocking the God of Israel and comparing him to the defeated gods of other nations.
The Context of 2 Chronicles 32:17
Sennacherib sends written communications that specifically mock and compare the God of Israel to powerless foreign deities.
What Does 2 Chronicles 32:17 Mean?
Sennacherib's written correspondence takes his propaganda to a new level—permanent, propagandistic record written for distribution. The letters mock and revile the God of Israel specifically, not in general theological terms but with personal venom.
His comparison reduces the God of Israel to one deity among many, suggesting that Judah's God is neither unique nor more powerful than the gods of nations already conquered. The written format suggests an attempt at making his claim seem authoritative and documented.
2 Chronicles 32:17 in the Original Language
'rail on' (חָרַף, charaph) — to reproach, revile, or taunt; here directed specifically at the God of Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Chronicles 32:17
What does 2 Chronicles 32:17 mean?
Sennacherib writes letters mocking the God of Israel and comparing him to the defeated gods of other nations.
What is the context of 2 Chronicles 32:17?
Sennacherib sends written communications that specifically mock and compare the God of Israel to powerless foreign deities.